Fermin Lopez and Alex Baena have been used to working together the last few weeks. As part of Luis de la Fuente’s squad that lifted the UEFA EURO 2024 title, they headed to France to bolster Santi Denia’s squad in a bid to win Olympic gold.
The partnership has continued its adventures in France. They played a decisive role in their side’s victory over Dominican Republic in the second matchday of Group C, which secured qualification for the quarter-finals. Barcelona academy product Lopez scored the first goal after forcing a poor clearance from the keeper. Following that, Villarreal’s Baena netted the second to make it 3-1 against a Dominican Republic side who dug deep until the final whistle.
“I think we put in a strong performance,” Baena (pictured below) told FIFA. “We have to work on many things. We’re struggling with our tempo because most of the team is in pre-season [mode], at least in the first few minutes. We need to sharpen up and find our groove.”
Lopez (pictured below) used his aggression and determination to wreak havoc on the Dominican backline as a second striker in Bordeaux on Saturday. Further back on the pitch and with the No10 on his back, Baena set the pace in midfield to dictate the direction of his team’s play. “
“We have to treat them with care, and also demand more from them,” said coach Denia after the match about how the duo is being managed. “We have to push them harder because they are senior players and European champions.”
They both joined the squad without the need to use the over-23 quota. In fact, Spain’s Olympic squad could be even stronger with EURO stars Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams also eligible for the team.
“Both Fermin and I have to step up because of where we have come from,” added Baena. “We have to step it up a gear and help the team. On a personal level, we are still not at our best, and we need to go one step further.
“Maybe we are a bit tired mentally after the whole season, but I think we need to put in the effort, using whatever energy we have left, to help the team here. I feel good. I’m a bit tired after ten or 11 months of the season, but I have to do my best, step up and be there to help the team. We are facing a huge and exciting challenge, which is to win double gold.”
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کلاس یوس